Fastening device



1%). 4, 1930. c; ATKlNs 1,745,521

FASTENING DEVICE Filed Aug. 22, 1927 VIII,

- Arm/may I Patented Feb. 4, 1930 ALFRED CHAR-LES n'ixmsmn LONDON, ENGLAND Fns'rnmne DEVICE Applicationlfiled August 22,i1S27,-.Scria 1;No. 214,729, and in Great. BritainiAugust 25, 1926.

Thi'sinvention relates to fasteni'ngdevices j of the type comprising telescoping or exten SlblQ- PEtlilSIOI' enabling one of the portions of an article to which the edevicesiar'e attached for instance the-cover of aboxIor the like, to L be adjusted and retained in-various V positionsgrelative ftooan other. portion of the articl say the bottoi'nkolf the box or the like, inorder to, vary the capacity of the box or the to likef'to:suitirequirements. I i Acoordingjto the 'genera lxprinoipl'e oft-one portionofi the finventiong one ofthe elements of the device .is providedawith arseriesof perforated holes, slotsor,theifeequivalentand is furnished with-suitable; means for attach ing itito one ofthe, parts of; the box or the like.

Hinged atone end to the firstimentionedg elea ment is a secondelement, which carriessl-id ably a third element 1 provided with paiwl, afpin, tooth or its equivalent, which is adapted when the secondel'ement is lowered upon the first elementto engage one or more ofthe perforationsaor holes, but whichiiwhen the 'seeondelement:isvraised allows, the tooth or pawl-or its equivalent to be disengaged from the SLi blQQl6 OlY110138 S0418t enablethe third element .to slide withfrespe'ct to the second elementaj'llieh second portion of the box or the like ,is conneetedto the outer end of the third mentioned-element,.;say by means of a hinge plataorzin somecases a spring orother hasp may be attached to the outeriend ofthe third mentioned element; where the combined deviceiisintended to function as the haspL-ofya'; lock; Meansmayl be added for limiting the movement of thesecond element with-respect to the firstelement to. the angu= the pawh'pin our-the like to be lifted from the i 5 p'e'rforations,,slots for the like-inthe first'elementa -e In additionthe invention has for, its object to "providemeans; for locking the telescoping members from movement in anyidesired position; forexample to enable theicapacity of a box orthe like tobe set to and retained at any desiredlimitww1 I 1 Ingeneral, fastening :devices' constructed ,according to thisadditional portion of the 1.15 invention. comprisefm'eans operable from the portion of an expansible suitcase or the like.

the rea-r with the case resting on itsjbase and exterior to prevent the telescoping members from having relative movement when desired. In this manner oncethe capacityiof a box :or the like has been set to the required size it may be retained at this size by fixing this telescopic hinges, hinged hasps or, the li e. i

The relative movement of the telescopic portions mayibe preventedby any suitable means, for example by interposing an: abuto lnent againstthe retaining pawl or catch usually provided in such fittings co-operating with asuitably disposed'rack, to prevent the retainingpawl or catchfrom coming out of engagement .With the said rack or the like. In other constructions the two telescopic meinbersmay definitely belfixed together by means ofaprojection orv the like on one part being-set to {engage with a depression or the like onthe other part, either by hand orsemi- 7o automatically; with other constructions the telescopic members may be prevented from relative movement by frictional clamping means. a V I In order that the invention may be better understood it will now be describedlavith reference to. the accompanying drawings in which: r I V I p I k i Fig. l -is a front elevation of oneformoof fastener constructed according to the invention.

Fig.2 is a side. elevation of the 'same. 1 J Fige3is a sectional elevation of. the same with the fitting attached to the sideof one Fig; ,4 is a fragmentary View similar to Fig.

3 but 'with certainparts in another position. lar (lisplaclementastrictly necessary to allow 'Fig. .5 is a similar View to 4 'ivith the parts in a s'tillfurther position. I

Fig.1 .6 is 'a sectional fragmentary View illustrating the difference in i construction whenthe parts are applied toa hinge in place of a-hinged-hasp i Figsfi, 8 and 9 are perspective views of fasteners and the like constructed according to the invention as applied to one'form of expansible suit case or the like, showing respectively an elevation'of the suit case in the carrying position, an elevation taken from in the closed position and'a similar view to the last but with the case in the open position.

In the extensible fastening device shown in the drawings, a channel member 10 is provided partly closed at one end 11 and open at the other end. This member 10 which in use is attachedby riveting or otherwise-to one half 12 of the box or the like is provided with g a row of perforations or. sets of perforations at the base. In the drawing a plate 13 is attached to the base of a channel member 10 and is formed with a number of rectangular perforations 11 at desired distances apart.-

second channel member15 is provided of such size that its side walls or edges are adapted to fit into and come on the insideof the 'walls of the first mentionedchannel membe; 10. This secondjchannel member 15 is open at one end and isconnected by a hinge 16 to the first mentioned channel member 13, adjacent to the partly closed end 11.

' slidable on the interier of the second mentinned channel member, 15 and suitably retained" therein by turned'round edges 171 of the wallsof the member 15, is another channel member 18.1 This has suitably attached thereto in a desired positionfa spring pawl 19., f Thenoselof thepawl'is so formed and the pawl is somo'unt'ed that when the channel member-18 is moved into the first channel member 1O the pawl engages with the material of the plate 13 coming between the perforations 11.' The nose of the pawl itself comes in the perforations as will be seen from Figs. 3 and, 1. I When the channel member 18 is turned about'the, hinge 16 thenose'of the member pawl 19 isbrought into such a position that .it is free of the, perforations as shown in The construction of the parts is also preferably s uch that the channel member 18 can only be turned about the hinge 16 through a limited angle, that is through the angle suiiitime to raise 'thepawl 19 out of engagement with the perforations. For this purpose special stop means may be'provided or as shown on the drawings, Fig. 5, the partly closed end '11 of the member 10 may act as a stop.

,To the outer endofthe sliding member 18 maybe attached any suitable portion of a fastening the particular'construction and use for'whlch the extensible fastening'is intended.

As shown inFigs. 1, 2 and 3 to this outer end of the sliding member 18 a spring ha'sp 20 is hinge'dly attached. This haspis adapted .to co-operate with a suitable catch or locking device such for example as those shown at 21 in Fig. 9.

In other cases, for example as shown in Figs. 6 and 8, the outer end of the sliding 18 is hingedly attached at 22 to a This part23 is attached 23iof a hinge) or otherwise to the by suitable rivets, screws device, hinge or the like according to portion 21 of the box or the like which co 7 operates with the upper portion 12.

With fastening devices or the like con structed as hereinbefore described, where it is necessary to telescope or lengthen the said device, it is simply requisite to raise the channel member 15 to-a sufficient extentto bring thepawl 19 out of engagement with the racklikeplate 13, whereupon the channel member 18 can be drawn out of themember 15 to any On the other hand the suit case or the like comprising an upper and lower portion in telescopic engagement for example as shown in Figs. 7, 8 and-9 .ofthe drawings, the loweror'body portion 21 ofthe case at the rear has hingemembers'such as 23. attached thereto in suitable positions and the upperportion 12 has attachedthereto the channel plates 10. At th'efront thelower porti0n'21 has the locks21 suitably positioned thereon, the members 10 being attached to I the portion 12 at the front for the hasps 20 to be brought into engagement with the locks21.'-' 1 It will be appreciated that the case can be placed in the open position asshown in'Fig. 9 and the extensible fittings brought to their greatest length in a manner previously explained and then by closing the portion 12 over the portion 21 and engaging the hasps 20 with the locks 21 the portion12 maybe telescoped over the portion 21 a desired extent, the pawls 19 slipping and allowing this action. It is however not possible in the closed position of the case for the portion 12 to be drawn off the portion 21 as the 'pawls prevent this reverse movement, until they are freed ashereinbefore explained.

- In some cases the telescopic channel member such as 18 may be strengthenedtowards its lower end by inserting thereinto and'attachmg thereto another channel member-the walls of which come inside the wallsof the channel 18 and the base of which comes re mote from the base of the channel 18. The structure is thus somewhat rectangular in cross section and the strengthening channel member extends from the free end up to the pawl and it thusforms a spring thereof. In some cases with telescopic fittings constructed as previously set forth or with telescopic fittings of the type to which the invention generally'relates, means may be provided for locking the telescoping members from movement in any desired position, for

protection for the sired limit.

7 One method of carrying this into. eflect is shown. combined withthe structural form of the .deviceas previously described,,and for thispurpose the telescopic. member 18. has

attached on the interior'to the base thereof infany suitable manner for example bybrazing,"soldering orthe likea nut25. Thisnut is fixed; in position and hasscrewing there.- through a screwed stem 26 furnished with a stop] 27v to, prevent the screw from being screwedri'ght, out of thenut. The stem is iormedwitha, circular flat disc-like. head 28 the edge of which is Inilled and beneath the head a small somewhat conical portion 29 is located. "The base of the hinged channel memberlois formed with a series of notches 30, see Fig. -1=,;which'open one into the other leaving a slot 31.

' 'lhenarrow portions, of theslot 31"are suffici'entlyjwide-to,enable the screwed stem 26 topass freely throughvthe slot. When how- (ever the head is screwed inwards the conical enlargement 29 enters between two notches on each side of the slot, the notches being ment engages with these notches andholds arranged opposite for this purpose. By this means the conical enlargement locks the s l1ding channel member 18 in position as desired parts from being lengthened or largement may simply form a step which is not bevelled and the co-operating notches such as 80 be disposed in a set definite position relative to the opening or perforations 14 in the plate 13. In this way in whatever position the telescopic member 18 is held by its pawl, the arrangement is such that the stepped enlargement beneath the head 28 comes in alignment with a pair of notches 30 and by screwing in the head, the enlargethe parts from movement.

. Any other means may be provided, auto- 'matic or otherwise intheir action for locking the telescoping members together to maintain them set at required lengths.

In one constructionaliorm an eccentrlcally mounted cam member is provided on one of the telescopic members or afitting operable from the exterior whiclrwhen the case has been brought to required size, may be mampulated by a suitably disposed handle or otherwise to lock the telescopic parts together, by

the cam member 'frictionally engaging against the other member of the telescopic aspring pin may be carried by one telescopic I According to another constructional'form member and normally be held out of engagement with the other telescopicmemberand when theparts are adjusted to the required position may be operated to allow; the spring pin to engage with one ofa number ,ofapertures or the likev carried by the ,OtllQDztGlG- scopic memben. With sucha construction the pin maybe mounted upon aflat strip spring" adapted to be turned ,upon a pivot or the like to be brought into or out of the engaging position. v I Y Withtelescopic fittings of the type to which the invention relates the construction usually. includes a pawlzor catch on one -,telescopic memberwhich engages with arack car riedby the other telescopic member, or other.- wise suitably positioned. This pawl or. catch and rack mechanism are usually sodisposed that it is possible when a collapsible suit case or the like has been closedand.fastened,.still to telescopicallv shorten the'fittings. v

This, action frequently results in. fragile and delicategarticles carried in the suit case or the like being crushed andthe invention has for one of its objects to prevent this crushing action; T I lhevarious constructionaliforms already described herein would produce the desired result but in. other constructions the same result maybe obtainedjby preventing the pawlor retaining catch from slippingfthe teeth of the cooperating.rackprthelike to shorten the telescopic fittingswhen'the case or thelike isclosed Thismay be accomplished byinterposing any suitable abutment in desired position" or, 7 positions to prevent the retaining pawl or; catchhcomingout of engagement with the rack, Such an abutment could be broughtinto position by means operated from the exterior, when ;required. lVith, expansible suit cases andlthe like it is'usual .toprovide four telescopic fittings such as herein described and the inyention could be applied to all of theseor to some. according to requirements. f g i W hen using an ex pansiblesuit-case orfthe like with fittings made according, to theinvention, assumingjthe case to be open, itlis packed as required andthen the cover closed down :over the box portion and :the hasp fit- "tings fixed to the cooperating locks the telescopic parts having been set to the required position priorto this lockingor subsequently. To retain the telescopic .fittings in this set position .the exteriorlocking means for "preventing the movement; thereof, are now 'manipulatedy These means can be constructed according toany of the particular forms or combinations rams herein described, or can be of any other construction to. effect the same object. I

Upon, opening the box the locking devicev for holding the telescopic partsrelatively fixed may be operated if the particular con struction of the fitting requires thisto be done before the Case can be unlocked or opened, or the telescopic parts vmay remain 51. element has pivotally attached thereto one portion of a hinge adapted to be secured to the element hinged to the first mentioned element,

a third element slidably carried by the second element and provided with'aspawl which is adapted when the secondelement is lowered upon the first element toengage the rack thereof, but which, when the second-element is raised'," allows the "pawl to be disengaged from the said rackso as to enable the third element to slide-with respect to the second element; and means connected to the outer end of the third mentioned element for attachment: to the other partof the bOXJike article. 4

telescoping members from "movement in any i desired position, said means for securin'g the telescoping .members including means to clamp the telescoping members together;

10.- Fastening devicesof the type set forth in claim 1, including means for securing the telescoping members from movement in any desiredposition, said means for securing the telescoping members comprising a projection on one of said members, the other's'aid member having. a recessfor engagement' by said projection. I r s V r -11. Fastening devices of the type set forth in claim 1, including means for securing the telescoping members from movement in any desiredposition saidmea-ns for securing the telescoping -members includin a manually operable screw having a nut slidably' engaged with one of the telescoping members, the other said member having notches for engagement by said'screw.

In witness whereof Iiaifix my signature.

7 ALFRED CHARLES ATKINS.

2 An extensible connecting means according to claim' l, wherein the first mentioned elementisprovided with a series of perforationsconstituting a rack:

3. Fastening devices as claimed in claim 1,

including a plate attached to, the first element *and'having a number ofperforations to constitute therack for engagement by the pawl carried by'th'ethird element, and in whichthe'pawl is a spring strip having attached thereto at its free end a nose for en- 'gaging therack. I

4; Fastening 1, including means for limiting the angular 'movement of the second element about its "pivot'with the first element.

5. Fastening devices as'claimed in claim *1; in" which the free end of the sliding third 2: "element has hingedly attached thereto a hasp,

for engagement with a; co-operating fasteningdevice'on'the other portion of the box.

6. Fastening devices as claimed in claim 1,"

devices as claimedin claim in 'whichthe free end of the sliding third other portion of the box. 1 7 .Fastening devices of the type set forth of as claimed in claim 1; in which the box-like article connecting means include means for locking the telescoping members from movemerit in any desired position. 7,

SfFasteningdevices of the type set forth in claim 1, including means" for securing the telescoping member's from movement in any desired position, said means for securing the telescoping members" being active to prevent disengagement of the pawl. from the rack.

9. Fastening devices of the type set forth in'claim 1, including means for securing the 

